Suspected Terrorists Renew Onslaught In Niger Communities

Suspected terrorists have renewed their invasion of communities in Niger state, killing at least twenty-six people and destroying properties worth several million Naira, including a police station and residential houses.

The terrorists, in their numbers, according to sources from the area, started from Feyi village in Borgu Kingdom, set houses on fire, and later headed to Tunga Makeri and Nkpaso villages, where they continued the destruction of properties.

The criminals, it was reliably gathered, came into the community, armed with sophisticated weapons on many motorcycles of twos or three each with sophisticated weapons, threatening and shooting sporadically into the area to scare away possible intruders.

The operation, which is said to have started late Friday night through Saturday morning, led to the killing of six people at Feyi, and looted their properties unchallenged by security forces.

From Feyi village, the criminals moved to Tungan-makeri and Nkpaso villages, both in Konkoso Ward, Borgu Local Government Area Saturday morning and killed about twenty more persons.

Not done with their wanton destruction, the terrorists headed towards the police station in Pissa in the locality, set it on fire, and then took to their heels upon hearing the sound of an approaching helicopter moving towards their direction.

Our correspondent also learnt that some adjoining neighbourhoods have disappeared into nearby bushes and neighbouring communities from their ancestral homes for safety, while calling for help from the state and federal governments at all levels to as a matter of urgency come to their rescue.

Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told our correspondent that though they cannot give an exact number of casualties, they could count 26 bodies on their way running for safety.

“Nobody knows exactly the number of people that have died and the number of persons abducted, as it stands. The killings continue as they move from one location to another”, the source hinted.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack but said only six persons were killed.

“The commant as at 6 am received report indicating that at about 3 am, suspected armed bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village via Shafachi district Borgu LGA and during the attack, six persons lost their lives, some houses were also set ablaze, and a yet to be ascertained number of persons were abducted”.

Wasiu further explained that, “The terrorists were also reported to have moved to Konkoso village, and other details are still sketchy”, adding, however, that joint security teams have been mobilised to the scene for assessment and rescue of the victims.